Israeli leaders announce open-ended deployments

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz told a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel that Israeli forces will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, parts of Syria and the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu said Israel "dominates southern Lebanon, from the summit of the Beaufort," and will remain in the security zone "as long as required," while Katz said the military would stay in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza "without any time limit."

Both leaders stressed they would oppose any withdrawal from these positions despite ongoing and future pressures, highlighting the strategic importance of holding locations such as the Beaufort summit and other security zones along Israel's borders. Their statements signal a commitment to a prolonged military posture across multiple frontiers amid continuing regional tensions, as reported by Middle East Eye